Minks In Narrowly Kept Spaces are Superspreaders Act; MINKS are Superspreaders Act
Summary
The "Minks In Narrowly Kept Spaces are Superspreaders Act" (MINKS are Superspreaders Act) aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act by prohibiting the captivity of mink for fur production. The bill makes it illegal to transport, sell, receive, acquire, purchase, breed, or possess American mink raised in captivity for fur production. It includes an exception for entities described in section 3(e)(2) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981.
Expected Effects
The bill would effectively shut down mink farms in the United States. The Secretary would be required to seek to purchase privately owned mink farms, subject to the availability of appropriations. Compensation would be determined based on the 3-year average of mink owned and the infrastructure value of the farm.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in zoonotic disease transmission from mink to humans.
- Addresses animal welfare concerns related to mink farming.
- May reduce environmental pollution associated with mink farms.
- Provides a buy-out option for mink farmers to transition to other ventures.
- Could lead to a decrease in the demand for fur products.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential job losses in the mink farming industry.
- Economic impact on communities reliant on mink farming.
- Possible challenges in determining fair compensation for mink farms.
- Potential for illegal mink farming operations to emerge.
- Limited impact on the overall fur trade if international mink farming continues.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to fall under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) as it regulates interstate and foreign commerce related to mink. The buy-out provision raises questions related to the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause, requiring just compensation for private property taken for public use. However, this is contingent on the availability of appropriations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).